Free things to do · Kyoto · Japan
5 free things to do in Kyoto
Kyoto without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nacaru, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Kyoto without paying an entry fee: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Gion and Hanamikoji Street, Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji and Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gyoen are all free. Fushimi Inari, the Philosopher's Path, Gion, the Kamo River and the Imperial Palace grounds are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 12
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Fushimi
1.Fushimi Inari Taisha
Arrive before 8am or after dark for empty gates; the crowds thin dramatically above Yotsutsuji.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Active
- Kids
- After dark
Neighbourhood · Gion
2.Gion and Hanamikoji Street
Photography is banned on some private lanes off Hanamikoji; never block or follow geiko or maiko for photos.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- History
Street · Northern Higashiyama
3.Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji
Walk north to south, from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji, and detour to the moss-covered gate of Honen-in.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- History
Palace · Kamigyo
4.Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gyoen
Bring a picnic and look for the early-flowering weeping cherry trees near the Konoe residence site in late March.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Kids
Waterfront · Downtown Kawaramachi
5.Kamo River and Pontocho
Cross the stepping stones at Demachiyanagi, where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet, for a local favourite spot.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- Food
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Fushimi | Fushimi Inari Taisha | 2–3 hours |
| Gion | Gion and Hanamikoji Street | 1–2 hours |
| Northern Higashiyama | Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji | 2–3 hours |
| Kamigyo | Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gyoen | 1–1.5 hours |
| Downtown Kawaramachi | Kamo River and Pontocho | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Religious site · Higashiyama
Kiyomizu-dera
Go at opening time, then walk down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka before the shops open and the crowds arrive.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Kita
Kinkaku-ji
Combine with Ryoan-ji and Ninna-ji, a 20–30 minute walk or short bus ride along the 'Kinukake-no-michi' road.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Nature · Arashiyama
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji
Walk the bamboo grove soon after sunrise, then visit Tenryu-ji's garden when it opens.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Kids
Market · Downtown Kawaramachi
Nishiki Market
Eat at or beside the stall where you buy; the market asks visitors not to eat while walking.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
- Iconic
Castle · Nakagyo
Nijo Castle
Walk the Ninomaru Palace corridors slowly to hear the nightingale floors chirp underfoot.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
Religious site · Higashiyama
Sanjusangen-do
Look for a face that resembles someone you know; tradition says you can find one among the statues.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Garden · Kita
Ryoan-ji
Visit early or late in the day when the veranda is quieter and you can sit for a while.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
Religious site · Kyoto Station area
To-ji
Time your visit for the 21st to catch the Kobo-san market, which starts early in the morning.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Religious site · Higashiyama
Tofuku-ji
Outside peak foliage season in November it is calm, and the Hojo gardens are worth a visit at any time of year.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Kita
Daitoku-ji
Have lunch at one of the shojin ryori vegetarian restaurants near the temple gates.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
Religious site · Gion
Kennin-ji
Photography is allowed in most areas, and it is usually calmer than the temples up the hill.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Park · Arashiyama
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Wear good shoes for the climb and do not stare directly at the monkeys or show food outside the hut.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Nature
- Active
More ways to save
- Fushimi Inari, the Philosopher's Path, Gion, the Kamo River and the Imperial Palace grounds are free.
- Eat a kaiseki lunch rather than dinner for the same cooking at a much lower price.
- Kyoto adds a per-person nightly accommodation tax that rises with the room rate; check it when comparing hotels.
- Book well ahead for cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, or visit in January, February or June for lower rates.
- Use a luggage-forwarding service between hotels or cities instead of taxis with big bags.
- Rent a bicycle for a day to link temples without bus fares and queues.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kyoto expensive to visit?
Kyoto is moderately priced for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Kyoto?
Fushimi Inari Taisha: Arrive before 8am or after dark for empty gates; the crowds thin dramatically above Yotsutsuji.